Water pump replacement a car-lift job?

[Dodgey]

I'm toying with replacing the water pump, as they are cheap, and I've pretty much run out of areas to look for my slow but consistent water consumption issue (not getting any symptoms of it going in the engine).

I've take a look at the pump, and it looks certainly like you need to come up from below and remove the scav fan. Anyone done this on drive-on ramps? I'm imagining it would be a right pain to work on it like that? I'm assuming it's a workshop job with a proper vehicle lift? It looks like an easy enough job, just hard to get to.

[Simon Jones]

Pretty sure I didn't remove the scavenger fan. Access from below will make getting the belts off & on a lot easier.

Factsheet should hopefully cover the process: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... erpump.pdf

[Bob]

Allan did mine at the same time as the rad, no jacking or pit used.

[Northern Bongolow]

i leave the scav fan in, you can rest your pillow on it whist doing the pump.
run it forward up some standard ramps,

tip of the week---- undo the pulley bolts on the water pump before you slacken the belts or its hard to hold, i tighten them up to help hold the pump from turning, undo the belts then remove the bolts/nuts from the water pump, get a piece of card and push through as you remove as they are different lengths and need to go back in the correct order.

[dave_aber]

Pump replacement (with a little practice) is a 20 minute job, from above.

[not including the bleeding time!]

[Dodgey]

Thanks guys - sounds like an excuse to buy some ramps. Glad to hear it's not all that bad.

Dave - 20 mins! - I assume you do most of the bolts by feel?

[helen&tony]

Hi
Dodgey...
Get yourself a set of hydraulic ramps...I have details...They're easy to use, and you get a higher lift!
As others have said, it's an easy job...I did mine from above, as with the cambelt...From memory some bolts were done by "feel"...they are different lengths, so take note, and it's apparently normal to replace them at coolant change in Japan, as with thermostat. I do coolant bi-annually, pump/ thermostat every 4 years. Tony gets the job next year, as I can't do much now.....isn't he lucky
Cheers
Helen

[dave_aber]

Hi Dodgey - Yes, almost all have to be done by feel - first time you do it, a mirror on a stick is handy.

I have a write-up on here somewhere of the step by step. Key tip, as mentioned by Ady, crack the 4 pulley bolts with the belts still tight or you'll never get them undone!

DA

Edit : Here's the step-by-step :

My write-up on Water Pump replacement from a previous post (which covers belt replacement) :

1. Disconnect the -ve lead from the starter battery.

Then, working from under the passenger's seat:

2. Crack / Slacken the 4 bolts holding the pulley on the pump before removing the belts.
3. Remove the wiring from the alternator
4. Slacken the alternator bolts, and adjust it right in to slacken the 2 belts
5. With the Pump / Alternator belts slack, you can now access the AC pump tensioner.
6. Slacken the 17mm nut on the AC tensioner, then loosen the belt using the 12mm bolt on the top of it.
7. Remove the AC belt, then the Water / Alt belts.
8. Remove the alternator
9. Remove the 4 bolts holding the waterpump pulley on.
10. Remove the pulley - might need a tap / lever etc.
11. Remove the 2 nuts, 5 long bolts and 1 short bolt holding the pump in place. Note the position of the short bolt.
12. Remove the pump. Obviously you'll drop the coolant at this point, unless you have previously drained it.
13. Refitting is the reverse of removal.
14. Bleed the system etc.

You'll end up with a scratched left arm.

It's not a bad idea to replace the 3 belts whilst you are in there, however be aware that the new ones should be so tight to get on you will think you have been sold the wrong belts.

With the adjuster set to the slackest position, you can just get the belt started on the last pulley, but you'll struggle to get it fully on with your fingers. Get it nearly on, then blip the engine round on the key (don't start it!). Repeat for moving the 1st waterpump belt to the 2nd position, and again to get the 2nd waterpump belt on, and again to get the 3rd belt on.

Once they are on, you do have to adjust up the slack quite a bit - it's just the initial getting them on that's really tight.

If I remember right - you have to fit the 2 waterpump / alternator belts first, but leave them slack. Then fit the Aircon belt, and do up the tension. Then finally adjust the alternator to tension the first 2 belts. If you tension these up first, you can't (easily) get a socket on the aircon belt tensioner bolt.

[Dodgey]

Nice one - thanks everyone. I reckon I might change the cambelt at the same time. Do you have a write up on that too? I'm assuming I might as well do both as I'll be in the area so to speak. (I assume cam belt change is - remove cover, remove some sort of tensioner, DON'T MOVE ANYTHING!! replace belts....?)

As for the ramps - so tempting..... just sorting a possible house move so might avoid amassing more stuff just for now...

[Bob]

If you're passing the top of the county I can lend you ramps and axle stands.

[Dodgey]

Thanks - that's a kind offer - I'm going to keep an eye on the weather and decide if and when to do the cam belt change along with teh water pump - I've read the fact sheet and I'll def. need a dry day and some good light. Might leave the whole lot until spring!

[helen&tony]

Hi Dodgey...
That's our plan with the coolant / pump, etc. namely, wait 'till spring. We also hope to sell house and move next year...the house and barns are too big, so while we still have the facilities we will give the Bongo a once-over...Time will tell, but I may have to part with the Bongo, and I've spent an embarrassing amount on it , intending to keep it, but I'm a bit bothered with a spine that needs operating on...I'll wait on some second opinions, and see what happens, but if I can keep the Bongo I will...they're a breeze to work on , and easy on fuel for such a big lump!
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

Nice one - thanks everyone. I reckon I might change the cambelt at the same time. Do you have a write up on that too? I'm assuming I might as well do both as I'll be in the area so to speak. (I assume cam belt change is - remove cover, remove some sort of tensioner, DON'T MOVE ANYTHING!! replace belts....?)

There's a factsheet for that too http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... ambelt.pdf

You do have to turn the engine over a few times as part of the process. It requires a pretty big socket (34mm???) to turn the crankshaft.

[helen&tony]

Hi Simon...
1 1/2" or 38mm
Cheers
Helen

[Dodgey]

I have the tools, but I don't want to do it in the winter! :-0 . It's also annoying my MOT is in Feb. I reckon I might borrow a mate's barn, and do it all in a day, then double MOT my Bongo next year to get the MOT back into summer time!

I've got the fact sheet - I kept a copy when I was a paying member.